FEI General Assembly 2014 to elect new President in Baku (AZE)

FEI.org

10 Dec 2014

The 14th FEI President will be elected this Sunday 14 December by the FEI General Assembly which gets underway this week in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

The five Presidential candidates (listed in order of receipt of the candidacy files by the FEI) are Pierre Genecand (SUI), Ulf Helgstrand (DEN), John McEwen (GBR), Pierre Durand (FRA), and Ingmar De Vos (BEL). Javier Revuelta del Peral (ESP), who had also submitted a candidacy file, withdrew from the election process in November.

The five candidates will present their manifestos to the National Federations, stakeholders and international media during the Meet the Presidential Candidates session on Saturday 13 December at 14.15 AZT (local Azerbaijan time, GMT + 4 hours). The individual presentations by the candidates will be followed by a question and answer session at 16.15 AZT on 13 December.

The order of the candidates’ presentations will be determined by a draw overseen by the Independent Advisory Committee, which was set up by the FEI Bureau in September 2014 to preserve the integrity of the election process and avoid any potential conflict of interest. The draw will take place at 19.00 AZT on 12 December.

The General Assembly and the Meet the Presidential Candidates session will be broadcast live and free of charge on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform.

A press kit containing detailed information on the FEI General Assembly 2014, the Presidential election, and the FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines is attached. It is also available online here.


Brief biographical information on the Presidential candidates

Pierre Genecand (SUI)
Pierre Genecand, 64, is proposed by the Swiss Equestrian Federation. A businessman, banker and insurance broker by profession, Genecand served as president of the Geneva International Horse Show from 1989 to 2003. He has been a member of the board of the World Cup of Horsemanship, the Alliance of Jumping Organisers, and the Committee of Swiss Top Sports. He is the current president of the Polo Club Gstaad and the Hublot Polo Gold Club.

Ulf Helgstrand (DEN)
Ulf Helgstrand, 63, is proposed by the Danish Equestrian Federation. A medical doctor by profession, Helgstrand is a professor of vascular surgery. He has served as President of the Danish Equestrian Federation since 2003. He was board member and Vice President of the Danish Warmblood Association for 10 years and currently serves as Vice President and charter member of the European Equestrian Federation. Helgstrand is a former Dressage rider and has run a stud with several approved Dressage stallions since 1991.

John McEwen (GBR)
John McEwen, 69, is proposed by the British Equestrian Federation. A qualified veterinary surgeon with wide international experience, McEwen served as veterinary surgeon to the British Jumping and Dressage teams, working at eight Olympic Games up to and including London 2012, and at all editions of the FEI World Equestrian Games™. He was vice chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee from 1999 to 2003 and has been the Committee’s chair since 2006. He also currently chairs the FEI Prohibited Substances List and Laboratory Groups. McEwen has served on an advisory panel for the charity World Horse Welfare for more than 15 years. He represents the FEI at the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) specialising in horse transport issues and on the International Sports Horse Confederation (IHSC). McEwen was appointed FEI 1st Vice President in 2010.

Pierre Durand (FRA)
Pierre Durand, 59, is proposed by the French Equestrian Federation. Durand holds a degree in business law, is a former professional rider and wine grower. He won individual gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games with the 13-year old gelding Jappeloup. He also competed in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and, amongst numerous international and national titles, became European Jumping champion in 1987. Durand was President of the French Equestrian Federation from 1993 to 1998. He has held various executive positions in the media industry and is currently chairman of the board of directors of the French National Institute for Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP).

Ingmar De Vos (BEL)
Ingmar De Vos, 51, is proposed by the Belgian Equestrian Federation. De Vos holds degrees in political science, business administration and international and European law and started his career as an advisor to the Belgian Senate. He joined the Belgian Equestrian Federation as managing director in 1990, and held the additional role of Secretary General from 1997 to 2011. He was Secretary General of the European Equestrian Federation from 2010, the year the organisation was formed, until 2011. During his time at the Belgian National Federation, De Vos was chef de mission for the Belgian Equestrian Team at all FEI World Equestrian Games™ from 1990 to 2010 and at several Olympic Games. De Vos has been FEI Secretary General since May 2011.


Election process
The election process for the FEI President is detailed under Article 24 of the FEI Statutes. The relevant articles are listed below:

24.2 The President shall be elected by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of votes cast. Abstentions are not counted as cast votes. In the event multiple Ballots are necessary under Article 24.4, a Simple Majority shall be sufficient for Election on the third Ballot, or on the second if only two (2) Candidates remain.

24.4 When there are multiple Candidates and none receives the necessary majority, the Candidate with the least number of votes received shall be removed from the list of Candidates and another Ballot shall be held. This procedure shall be repeated until a Candidate receives the necessary majority.

The FEI newly elected President will begin his term in office at the end of the General Assembly and will remain in office for a period of four years. The FEI President may not serve more than three consecutive full terms.


Independent Advisory Committee
The Independent Advisory Committee was established under Article 36.1 of the FEI Statutes and oversees the election process and all related matters. The temporary committee is composed of:

The FEI President, HRH Princess Haya (JOR)
The Chair of the Equestrian Community Integrity Unit, Lord Stevens (GBR)
The former Chair of the FEI Tribunal, Ken Lalo (ISR)
The Chair of the FEI Audit and Compliance Unit, Brian Mangan (IRL)

Spain: 2014 Santa Susanna Raid Results

Winner of the 61st annual 2-day 2 x 100km Santa Susanna ride was Spain’s Angel Soy Coll riding Sontana with a combined 2-day time of 11:28.51, by one second over Poland’s Kamila Kart and Phayda de Lux. Third place went to Spain’s Guile Soldevila Altarriba riding Soleil Vere, finishing 3 minutes behind the top two. Australia’s Alexandra Toft finished 13th, riding Papillon du Parc with a combined time of 13:18.38.

15 of 37 riders completed the 2-day ride.

Complete results here:
http://www.atrm-systems.fr/Resultats_Endurauto/Santa%20Susanna%20%28ESP%29%2006-12-2014/Santa%20Susanna-20141206_Santa%20Susanna%20%28ESP%29%2006-12-2014-CEI___%202x100km_Phase%206.pdf

UAE teen wins National Day Cup at Global Arabian Horse Racing Festival

Sport360.com - Full Article

by Sport360 staff
Saturday 06 December 2014

A brilliant performance by UAE teenager Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri on his 10-year-old Arabian stallion, Quran El Ulm, helped him score a narrow victory in the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s prestigious National Day Cup.

It was the 19-year-old’s first victory in the 120-km Endurance Ride at the Emirates International Village in Al Wathba that took palce on Saturday.

Representing Fazza 3 Stables, Al Marri started the final 16-km loop in seventh and finished just one second ahead of early leader Mohammed Al Abbar on Raksha.

Saeed Jaber Al Harbi completed a 1-2-3 sweep by the UAE on JQ Safi Safra, ahead of Argentinean jockey Martina Spelanzon.

Al Marri covered the distance in four hours, 10 minutes and 39 seconds at an average speed of 28.72km per hour...

Read more here:
https://sport360.com/article/equestrian/29824/uae-teen-wins-national-day-cup-global-arabian-horse-racing-festival

Spain: 61st Santa Susanna Raid

The 61st annual 2-day Santa Susanna endurance ride will take place December 6 and 7, 2014. Several races will take place: a CEI3***, with 99 km over each day, and a CEI2** with 73 km over each day. A CEI1* 99 km ride will also take place on Friday December 5.

133 pairs were signed up at the official close of entries, with 44 pairs in the CEI3***. Riders from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, and Spain will participate.

For more information see
http://ggjineteraid.blogspot.com/2014/12/61-raid-santa-susana-2014.html

Abu Dhabi: Top riders in fray for National Day Cup

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Nearly 300 leading riders to take part in 120-km ride

Staff Report
Published: 18:57 December 5, 2014

Top riders in fray for National Day Cup
Nearly 300 leading riders to take part in 120-km ride

Abu Dhabi: It is the National Day Cup 120-km endurance ride on Saturday and almost every top rider in the UAE and many from around the world will be part of the starting line-up at 6am at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi.

The National Day Cup, which this time will mark the 43rd anniversary of the birth of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the most prestigious rides in the UAE’s endurance calendar and is expected to see a close contest for honours over the five-stage 120-km distance.

With eleven 4WD cars on offer and a handsome amount of prizemoney to be shared by the top finishers, the National Day Cup has attracted over 300 entries...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/top-riders-in-fray-for-national-day-cup-1.1422742

UAE's unique Dubai Desert Triathlon a success

Sport360.com - Full Article

by Sport360 staff
Friday 05 December 2014

The second edition of the Dubai Desert Triathlon saw Mohamed Isa Alqais and Aude Touraine lifting the trophies at the Dubai International Endurance City on Friday with Yousef Barhum, Erwan Sidaner & David Serrano taking the team honours.

Ninety-four athletes participated in the second edition of the event which consisted of a 5km run, a 40km cycle and a 50km endurance horse ride, and proved to be as successful as the inaugural edition.

The overall men’s triathlon was won by Mohamed Isa Alqais of Bahrain ahead of Majed Mohamed Salman Hassan Mohammed Al Sabri, with Rashed Alghurair in third.

Alqais was ecstatic about winning and said, "I am experienced in both running and cycling, but I am a new rider, so it was a challenge for me. The event was perfect, as a concept it is unique, and I look forward to competing again.”

The overall women’s triathlon was won by Aude Touraine of France ahead of Ines Pintenat with Najla Aljeraiwi in third...

Read more here:
https://sport360.com/article/triathlon/29775/uaes-unique-dubai-desert-triathlon-success

Endurance Great Britain Announces New Board

Endurancegb.co.uk

26 November 2014

Endurance GB (EGB), the governing body for the sport of endurance riding in Great Britain, has announced its new and returning members of the EGB Board for 2014/15, including the re-election of John Hudson as EGB chairman.

The new Board was announced at the EGB AGM on Saturday 22nd November, with the highest number of EGB members on record participating in the vote for the elected team. The EGB Board for 2014/15 comprises 15 members, including Sue Box, Kerry Dawson, David Hirst, Harry Ingram and Jane Tennant being welcomed to the Board. John Hudson and Jo Claridge have both been re-elected.

As an accomplished rider, Sue Box has been involved in endurance for 16 years and is keen to encourage new EGB membership at all levels and riding ability. Kerry Dawson, from West Yorkshire, has a wide experience of endurance and wants to help improve the sport for everyone from grass-roots to international level. Businessman David Hirst has worked as a TS, FEI Steward and helper in endurance over the past 16 years, and crewed to international level. At 22, Harry Ingram is the youngest member of the Board and a vehement supporter of young riders. He served as Chair of the Young Rider committee in 2013 and having been involved in endurance for the past decade is keen to give something back to the sport he loves. Former rider Jane Tennant, mother of international rider Alex Tennant, is a life member of EGB and wants to help drive the expansion of the EGB membership. Re-elected member Jo Claridge has been part of the development of EGB from the outset and returns to the Board as Groups Chairman with a clear vision to further contribute to the growth and success of EGB.

Returning chairman John Hudson has been involved in endurance since 1988 and brings with him a wealth of experience in the sport. John recognises the potential for the growth of endurance and will continue to use his expertise to lead EGB and the sport for its members and for Great Britain.

John Hudson, EGB Board Chairman, said: “Each member of the Board shares the same passion for endurance and together we can actively work towards our strategy to enable more people and horses at all levels to enjoy the sport of endurance to the highest standard of excellence.”

The full EGB Board includes:

John Hudson, EGB Chairman
Pete Claridge, EGB Vice Chairman / Financial Director
Ann Dark, Company Secretary
Sue Box
Sue Broughton, Chair of International
Jo Claridge, Chair of Groups
Kerry Dawson, Chair of Technology
Brian Floyd Davis, Chair of Health & Safety
Jeni Gilbert, Chair Rides & Rules
Kevin Hawes
David Hirst
Harry Ingram
Constance Newbould, SERC Representative
Jane Tennant
Fiona Videla, Chair of PR & Marketing
Category :General